Clemson Tops Liberty in 2025 Semifinal Rematch

Article by Isabella Schlösser. Photos by Andrew Musser

In a rematch of last year's ALC semifinal, Liberty University fell to Clemson University 17-12 on March 29 at the Liberty Lacrosse Fields in Lynchburg, VA.

The Tigers came out hot in the opening quarter with three back-to-back goals. The first two from sophomore midfielder Tyler Superczynski, scoring one unassisted and the other assisted by sophomore midfielder Ty Bleach at 13:57.

Graduate student Gennaro Petrongolo gave the Tigers their third goal of the game unassisted at 12:13

The Flames fought back with five unanswered goals. Freshman attacker Tayden Williams opened the scoring for the Flames off an assist from junior long stick midfielder Graham Lilley.

Sophomore midfielder William Morris followed quickly behind with a goal of his own, unassisted. Williams then scored his second goal of the game with an assist from senior attacker Luke Branham.

Lilley and freshman attacker Branson Isaacs followed suit with Isaacs being assisted by sophomore midfielder Josiah Hoopman. Clemson managed to break the Liberty scoring run with a goal from senior attacker Aidan McNulty.

The Flames managed to notch one more goal before the quarter ended when Branham found the back of the net to leave the score 6-5 with Liberty leading.

Clemson regained control in the second quarter with Bleach putting one in the back of the net to tie the score 6-6 assisted by junior attacker Holden Morrison. Branham answered quickly off an assist from senior midfielder Shane Supek to regain the Flames' lead.

Clemson's senior attacker Landen Snyder scored three unanswered goals for the Tigers to pull ahead of Liberty. To close out the second quarter, Isaacs and Hoopman worked their magic to put another one on the board for the Flames and leave the score 10-8 with Clemson leading. 

The second half of the game remained a close battle between two conference powerhouses. Neither was willing to go down without a fight. As the game clock ran out, the Tigers pulled away claiming the 17-12 victory over Liberty.

"We told the guys coming in that all these ALC (Atlantic Lacrosse Conference) games are must-win games, so this is a step towards our end goal, which is not only making it to, but winning the ALC tournament," Clemson Head Coach Andrew Tobias said.